Improvement in clothes-driers



C. T. SHAFHL Clothes-Miers. l

N0. 158,392. Patentedjan. 5,1875.

Efw lf' w i Ex J L J3 y UNITED NSTATES PATENT QEEICE.

CHARLES T. SHAFER, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN cLoTHEs-I'DRIERS.

` Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,392, dated January 5, 1875; application filed October 7, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, OHnRLEs T. SHAEER, of the city of Springfield, county, of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented a Cabinet Clothes Rack, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in a novel construction and arrangement of a clothes-rack in a cabinet case or stand, so that the same can be unfolded, extended, and elevated from the stand,` in such manner as to make it useful and convenient for the purpose designed, besides being neat and tasteful enough for the sitting-room wh en folded -into its cabinet form. Its object is to furnish a large number of drying frames or racks for clothes,which can be easily and readily opened out or unfolded for use when needed, and can be as readily refolded into a compact and desirable form, so as to be free from dust, besides presenting a tasteful appearance when closed. rlhe doors of the cabinet swing open on each side, the stile or rail at the top of each extending across the width of the cabinet, so that, when opened, these form frames for drying clothes. On opening the doors (of whichy there are four) a number of drying-frames are seen folded in the case. These are pivoted vertically, having a single horizontal arm at the top. Two of these frames (on each side) are fastened in the lower part of the case, while the other four pairs are pivoted in a sliding frame, which may be elevated above the case and unfolded, so as to make two sets of frames (an upper and lower one) in the same stand.

Figure l is a view ot' my improvement when closed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with the middle part C elevated, and its dry ing-frames in the front part unfolded.

A is the case, which has the appearance of a cabinet wash-stand when closed, as shown in Fig. l. It is made with paneled or open ends, as preferred, being framed together with foot-pieces and rails at the bottom, so as to forni the base. The doors a., b, c', and d are hinged to the end pieces, for opening the front and back of the case. The top stile of each extends entirely across the opening. a! and b', Fig. 2, are the top stile-s of doors t and b. (See also Fig. 1.) In Fig. 2 these are opened to a right angle with the front of the case. b" shows a drying-frame, pivoted at the ends of its vertical post in the top f and bottom rail g,

so that it can be readily swung out when wanted for use. cl is another similar dryingframe, which folds into its place against b. The top of frame C occupies about one-third of the top of the cabinet when closed.. It is cut with beveled edges, (the opening being the same to receive it,) so that it can easily be raised and lowered, and will not bind against the edges of the opening in the top of the case. 1t occupies nearly the Whole inside of case A, with its accessories, when let down into the position shown in Fig. 1. When the frame C is elevated to its highest point a wedge-shaped block of metal, W, (seen at the right in Fig. 2,) falls into a notch, S, in the lower part of the post of the frame C, on each side. Wedge W is supported, with its sharp end down, in a notch cut in the top of the end piece of case A. To lower frame C, it is only necessary to press the ngers upward on the ends of blocks O, which project outward beyond the end posts of said frame. Block O is let into the slot e (see dotted lines, Fig. 2) in the top piece of the frame, in such manner as to allow its inside beveled end to form a ful crum for the angular lever formed by the block O and its suspended rod p, so that when its outer end is pressed upward into the recess c the projecting pin V pushes out wedge W, releasing it from notch S, and allowing C and its dryingframes i j k Z m n, Sto., which are previously folded into their places, to slide down into case A. A spiral spring, e', (seen in dotted lines at the right end of .slot 0,) presses upon that end of block O, preventing pin V from being forced against the wedge, except when the block O is pressed upward, in the manner described. A slot or mortise is cut through the lower rail of frame C to allow p to pass through it, and is made large enough to accommodate its movements. The drying-l vframes i j L Z m n (seen in frame C) are pivoted in the same manner as those in case A, and fold inward in the same manner. The four frames on the back are shown folded, i and j are shown extended, and k and l projecting at right angles toward the front.

I claim as my invention- 1. A cabinet-case for clothes-drying frames, constructed as shown, with doors having their top stiles extended entirely across the opening.

in the front and back of the same, as described, to form frames for drying clothes when opened, in the manner set forth.

2. In combination with the case A, constructed as described, and provided with doors a, b, c', and d', having their top stiles eX- tended in the manner shown, the drying-frames bf d, pivoted vertically Withinthe same, as and for the purpose specified.

3. Fra-111e C, with its pivoted frames j k Z m n and its locking and releasing devices, as shown, in combination with case A, (from Which it is e1evated,) provided with doors a. b c d and pivoted. frames b d, all arranged as described, as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth. CHARLES T. SHAFER. Attest:

B. G. CONVERSE, J oNATHAN E. BEMSBERG. 

